Benitez: We have no room for error

Friday 5 March 2010 00:00 BST

Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits his side cannot afford any more mistakes in their battle to secure Champions League football next season.

A victory at Wigan on Monday would take Liverpool back to fourth, albeit having played one match more than Tottenham, two more than Manchester City and three more than Aston Villa who are their man contenders for fourth spot.

Those statistics show just how fragile their the grip on fourth place is - and Benitez, said: "Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa will be very dangerous so we cannot make many mistakes."

He added: "We know last year was really good in terms of points in the league (86) and now we are in a different and more difficult situation because the expectations were very high.

"It is really difficult because we have three or four teams really close."

Liverpool have lost just once in the league in their last 10 matches and Benitez knows that form must continue.

"We have to keep this momentum and prove, show everyone else, we are good enough," he added.